Aafje & Ivar

In 2020, all concerts were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. During this time, I realized I wanted to take a new direction and started playing less, focusing more on ensemble coaching and education. Over the past few years, I have begun to engage my artistic mind again, which has resulted in a new project: a special collaboration with pianist Aafje van Gemert. Those who know me will already suspect that we are not just any clarinet/piano duo.

At first, we started thinking about what we wanted to play. Making arrangements (something we constantly did with Calefax) allowed us to create a program that fits us. Soon, our own versions of pieces by Bach and Debussy emerged.

At the beginning of Program 1 (see below), Aafje uses an Indian harmonium (so we can “blow” together), and I play a Turkish improvisation as a prelude to the unique world of the Armenian priest/composer Komitas.

We sought a beautiful balance between different tempi in the program. We explore slowing down and infinity in a clarinet version of Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt, and dive into the depths of our abilities with pianistic and clarinetistic virtuosity: late Études by Scriabin and the Arpeggione Sonata by Franz Schubert, the latter, of course, in a wind instrument version.

At the moment, we are developing a second concert program. It will be published here at the end of summer 2025. Interested in a (chamber) concert by us? Please contact me!

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) – Andante from Italian concert BWV 971

Komitas (1869-1935) – Shoror of Karin from Seven Folksongs

C. Debussy (1862-1918) – movements from Six Épigraphes antiques        

A. Pärt (1935-) – Spiegel im Spiegel

A. Scriabin (1872-1915) – Etudes nr. 2 en 5 opus 42

F. Schubert (1797-1828) – Arpeggione sonate D821

B. Bartók (1881 – 1945) – movements from Romanian Folk Dances